Meet junior Andy Dameron.

On Monday, he happily said he officially changed his major to theater studies. His major since beginning at NIU had been pre-communication studies and was the reason he transferred here from College of Dupage. He even said he had originally planned to be on the speech team.

“Well, I guess what really came to my attention was not having any theater classes. I just [felt] very creatively restricted,” Dameron said of the change.

He has a particular desire for an artistic outlet — “That creativity and performance” is what he needs. He would love to sustain himself, professionally, as an actor — that’s his main goal.

But he didn’t choose a fine arts degree with an emphasis in acting.

“I chose to do theater studies instead, because it gives a more broad-based look at theater,” he said. “Instead of just focusing on acting, I want to get a well-rounded knowledge about the theater.”

Despite, or possibly because, Dameron’s feeling creatively restricted, he’s currently in Wheaton Drama, Inc.’s production of “The Wizard of Oz,” playing the memorable role of the Scarecrow. It “is the most fun, but not the most organized” performance he’s been a part of.

Disorganization aside, he said of the fellow cast and crew, “Everybody’s real professional.” And while he admitted that it was “a little nerve-racking” that the cast still hasn’t seen the entirety of the show, he’s confident everything will come together in time. The show’s debut will at Playhouse 111 in Wheaton, Ill. is Nov. 17,

“It’s coming quick and I always kind of panic,” he said of all approaching opening nights.

Theater is a very competitive field and requires a lot of guts, which Dameron seems to have.

But it’s been a part of the young actor for some time. So changing his major and taking the leap toward local, collegiate and professional acting was a natural progression. As he feels it is for anyone, in any field, just as long as he or she is passionate about it.

“Always do what you love,” he advised. “People say ‘be practical’, which is why I went into communication instead of theater right away — you can use it in anything. It made more sense than being in theater.

“But when it comes right down to it, if your heart is so into something, you’ll make it work. Whether people think it’s practical or not, it’s what you love — don’t be wishy-washy.”